A First Time DWI Offense in Houston

A First Time DWI Offense in Houston

Getting charged with a DWI offense for the first time in Houston, TX can be one of the scariest things to ever happen to you. You may have never experienced any type of criminal charges before and have no idea what to expect. One of the first pieces of advice you will get it to find a Houston DWI attorney right away.

A good and experienced Houston DWI lawyer will be able to advise you of your legal rights, and also what you may be facing in terms of penalties and sentencing. He will be needed for your first day in court during your Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing that will decide the fate of your driver’s license. You are required to request this hearing within 15 days of any charges if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) finds that you were intoxicated and also if you refuse to have a BAC test done. You will also need your lawyer present for your actual criminal trial that can decide the fate of something much more important than your license. It can decide the fate of the rest of your life.

If convicted on a DWI, even if it is your first offense, you can face steep fines as well as jail time. The usual jail sentence for a first-time DWI offender in Texas is anywhere from three days to 180 days. However, if you had a minor child under the age of 15 in your vehicle, then the sentence can be raised to two years. If there were injuries or deaths are a result of you driving while intoxicated, the sentence can be even more harsh.

A DWI attorney in Houston can use the fact this is your first criminal offense to plea bargain your case to a lesser charge, or possibly make sure there is no conviction at all. This is why it is of the utmost importance to hire a lawyer who specializes in DWI cases and is an expert on Texas DWI laws. Knowing you are working with a professional can put your mind at ease. A DWI conviction can have an effect on the rest of your life. It can prevent you from getting a job and possibly ruin both personal and educational opportunities in your future. You do not want to trust your case to just anyone, so choose our DWI lawyer in Houston carefully to know you are getting the best defense possible.